Battery module and manufacturing method thereof

Abstract

A battery module and a manufacturing method thereof are disclosed. A battery module includes cases in which electrode assemblies each including a positive electrode and a negative electrode are respectively housed, cap covers configured to cover openings of the cases, terminals assembled to the cap covers and connected to the electrode assemblies, a housing accommodating the cases arranged in a row, and damage prevention portions mounted on the cap covers and configured to prevent damage due to heat.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A battery module comprising:
 cases in which electrode assemblies each comprising a positive electrode and a negative electrode are respectively housed;   cap covers configured to cover openings of the cases;   terminals assembled to the cap covers and connected to the electrode assemblies;   a housing accommodating the cases arranged in a row; and   damage prevention portions mounted on the cap covers and configured to prevent damage due to heat.   
     
     
         2 . The battery module as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein each of the cap covers comprises:
 a cap plate coupled to the case and configured to cover the opening of the case; and   a vent located in the cap plate and configured to be opened when an internal pressure of the case rises above a certain pressure.   
     
     
         3 . The battery module as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein each of the damage prevention portions is configured to protect the vent from external heat. 
     
     
         4 . The battery module as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein each of the damage prevention portions comprises:
 an insulating pad comprising an insulating material and covering the vent; and   a fixing pad mounted on the cap plate and configured to fix the insulating pad.   
     
     
         5 . The battery module as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein a pad cut portion cuttable by gas discharged from the vent is formed in the insulating pad. 
     
     
         6 . The battery module as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the fixing pad covers the insulating pad and is attached to the cap plate. 
     
     
         7 . The battery module as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the fixing pad comprises:
 a fixing tape covering the insulating pad and attached to the cap plate; and   a fixing cutting line formed on the fixing tape such that the insulating pad attached to the fixing tape is separated from the fixing tape.   
     
     
         8 . The battery module as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the fixing pad comprises:
 a fixing adhesive portion covering the insulating pad and attached to the cap plate; and   a fixing cut portion formed in the fixing adhesive portion such that the insulating pad attached to the fixing adhesive portion is partially cut.   
     
     
         9 . The battery module as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the insulating pad is fixed by mounting the fixing pad on the cap plate in a state in which the insulating pad is seated in the vent. 
     
     
         10 . The battery module as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the fixing pad is mounted on the cap plate in a state in which the insulating pad is attached to the fixing pad. 
     
     
         11 . A manufacturing method of a battery module, the manufacturing method comprising:
 coupling cases and cap covers;   mounting the cases on a housing; and   mounting damage prevention portions on the cap covers to prevent damage to the cap covers due to heat.   
     
     
         12 . The manufacturing method as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein, in the mounting the damage prevention portions, an insulating pad covers a vent formed in each of the cap covers, and
 a fixing pad covers the insulating pad by being coupled to the cap cover.   
     
     
         13 . The manufacturing method as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein a pad cut portion cuttable by gas discharged from the vent is formed in the insulating pad. 
     
     
         14 . The manufacturing method as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the fixing pad covers the insulating pad, is attached to the cap cover, and has a fixing cut portion formed thereon such that the insulating pad is induced to be partially cut. 
     
     
         15 . The manufacturing method as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the fixing pad is separable from the insulating pad by being cut by gas discharged from the vent. 
     
     
         16 . The manufacturing method as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the insulating pad is fixed by attaching the fixing pad to the cap cover in a state in which the insulating pad is seated in the vent. 
     
     
         17 . The manufacturing method as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the fixing pad is mounted on the cap cover in a state in which the insulating pad is attached to the fixing pad. 
     
     
         18 . The manufacturing method as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the fixing pad is arranged to cross the plurality of cap covers arranged in a row and is attached to the plurality of cap covers. 
     
     
         19 . The manufacturing method as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the fixing pad comprises a plurality of fixing pads attached to the plurality of cap covers arranged in a row, respectively. 
     
     
         20 . A manufacturing method of a battery module, the manufacturing method comprising:
 assembling a battery cell in which a case and a cap cover are coupled;   mounting a damage prevention portion on the cap cover to prevent damage to the cap cover due to external heat; and   mounting a plurality of battery cells in a housing.